Uptown Lexington executive director resigns

Jo Ellen Edwards, executive director for Uptown Lexington Inc., sits at the renovated entrance to Magnolia Antiques and Gifts on South Main Street.

Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch

BY REBEKAH CANSLER MCGEEThe Dispatch

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 4:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 4:18 p.m.

For the first time since she was 14 years old, Jo Ellen Edwards, executive director of Uptown Lexington Inc., will not have a boss come March 31.

Edwards announced her resignation from ULI on Wednesday at the nonprofit's board meeting.

"After much prayerful consideration over the last several months, I have determined it is time for me to leave Uptown Lexington Inc. to focus on my health, family and other projects and pursuits," Edwards said.

The decision comes on the heels of a recent thyroid cancer diagnosis. In October, Edwards went to her doctor because of issues with dizziness, she said, believing the symptoms were the result allergy problems. Just days before the Barbecue Festival, she received a call, and the news wasn't what she expected to hear.

"There is only a 4 percent chance of cancer when they find a nodule on your thyroid," Edwards said.

What she assumed would be a simple procedure to remove her thyroid turned into a slightly more involved process. Just days after the Christmas Open House, Edwards went in for surgery. Two weeks later she was attempting to put part-time hours in at Uptown Lexington, but as her thyroid cancer impacted her energy levels greatly, returning to work full time wasn't as easy as she originally planned.

"I thought they would just take out my thyroid, it would be an inconvenience for a little while, and then I would be back to normal. It is definitely not that way," Edwards said.

Eventually her energy level should return, but the diagnosis and surgery has impacted her voice, vision and weight, and each aspect will experience varying degrees of recovery.

Looking toward the future, Edwards plans to travel with her husband, Willie Edwards. He has recently begun to travel more often with his business, Viamedia.

"I'm very excited I get to spend time with my wife," Willie Edwards said. "I can't wait until we go to Florida, and if she goes with me, I won't feel as guilty about eating at all these really nice restaurants."

Edwards has worked as executive director of ULI since 2008. Before this time, she served two different stints as interim executive director in 2005 and 2006, but her ULI involvement began as a volunteer in 1993. Throughout the years, Edwards has also served as a ULI board member, chairwoman of the promotions committee and was chosen as ULI's Main Street Champion in 2007. Edwards was also instrumental in the public art venture, "Pigs in the City," and was involved in all five projects.

"ULI has been part of my life as either a volunteer, committee member, committee chair, board member, interim director, Main Street Champion or director for over 19 years," she said. "With then impending reauthorization of the (Municipal Service District Tax), I feel this is an ideal time for ULI to revisit (its) plan of work and thoughtfully and purposefully determine ULI's goals and direction for the next five years."

Mandy Connie, ULI's office and communications manager, has worked in some capacity with Edwards since 2004. Connie said that while she was excited for Edwards, she was going to miss her.

"I think I'm going to attach myself to her," Connie said, laughing.

"I wish I could take her with me," Edwards responded. "We've been attached at the hip for quite a while."

Edwards will see ULI through the public hearing of the MSD tax before she serves her final day.

"Jo Ellen has devoted many years to ULI, and we can't thank her enough for the endless hours she has given to our organization. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the best," said Tim Ragan, board president of ULI.

The executive committee of ULI will meet with Liz Parham with the North Carolina Main Street Program to begin the search for a new Lexington director.

"I will always support and believe in the Main Street program," Edwards said. "And ULI will always hold a special place in my heart."

Rebekah Cansler McGee can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rebekah.mcgee@the-dispatch.com.

<p>For the first time since she was 14 years old, Jo Ellen Edwards, executive director of Uptown Lexington Inc., will not have a boss come March 31.</p><p>Edwards announced her resignation from ULI on Wednesday at the nonprofit's board meeting. </p><p>"After much prayerful consideration over the last several months, I have determined it is time for me to leave Uptown Lexington Inc. to focus on my health, family and other projects and pursuits," Edwards said.</p><p>The decision comes on the heels of a recent thyroid cancer diagnosis. In October, Edwards went to her doctor because of issues with dizziness, she said, believing the symptoms were the result allergy problems. Just days before the Barbecue Festival, she received a call, and the news wasn't what she expected to hear.</p><p>"There is only a 4 percent chance of cancer when they find a nodule on your thyroid," Edwards said.</p><p>What she assumed would be a simple procedure to remove her thyroid turned into a slightly more involved process. Just days after the Christmas Open House, Edwards went in for surgery. Two weeks later she was attempting to put part-time hours in at Uptown Lexington, but as her thyroid cancer impacted her energy levels greatly, returning to work full time wasn't as easy as she originally planned.</p><p>"I thought they would just take out my thyroid, it would be an inconvenience for a little while, and then I would be back to normal. It is definitely not that way," Edwards said.</p><p>Eventually her energy level should return, but the diagnosis and surgery has impacted her voice, vision and weight, and each aspect will experience varying degrees of recovery. </p><p>Looking toward the future, Edwards plans to travel with her husband, Willie Edwards. He has recently begun to travel more often with his business, Viamedia.</p><p>"I'm very excited I get to spend time with my wife," Willie Edwards said. "I can't wait until we go to Florida, and if she goes with me, I won't feel as guilty about eating at all these really nice restaurants."</p><p>Edwards has worked as executive director of ULI since 2008. Before this time, she served two different stints as interim executive director in 2005 and 2006, but her ULI involvement began as a volunteer in 1993. Throughout the years, Edwards has also served as a ULI board member, chairwoman of the promotions committee and was chosen as ULI's Main Street Champion in 2007. Edwards was also instrumental in the public art venture, "Pigs in the City," and was involved in all five projects.</p><p>"ULI has been part of my life as either a volunteer, committee member, committee chair, board member, interim director, Main Street Champion or director for over 19 years," she said. "With then impending reauthorization of the (Municipal Service District Tax), I feel this is an ideal time for ULI to revisit (its) plan of work and thoughtfully and purposefully determine ULI's goals and direction for the next five years."</p><p>Mandy Connie, ULI's office and communications manager, has worked in some capacity with Edwards since 2004. Connie said that while she was excited for Edwards, she was going to miss her.</p><p>"I think I'm going to attach myself to her," Connie said, laughing.</p><p>"I wish I could take her with me," Edwards responded. "We've been attached at the hip for quite a while."</p><p>Edwards will see ULI through the public hearing of the MSD tax before she serves her final day.</p><p>"Jo Ellen has devoted many years to ULI, and we can't thank her enough for the endless hours she has given to our organization. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the best," said Tim Ragan, board president of ULI.</p><p>The executive committee of ULI will meet with Liz Parham with the North Carolina Main Street Program to begin the search for a new Lexington director.</p><p>"I will always support and believe in the Main Street program," Edwards said. "And ULI will always hold a special place in my heart."</p><p>Rebekah Cansler McGee can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rebekah.mcgee@the-dispatch.com.</p>